Contested Liloan Property, Dignos kin declared due foreshore owner

CEBU, Philippines - After 15 years, the Supreme Court has ruled with finality that the daughter of former Lapu-Lapu City mayor Silvestre Dignos is the rightful owner of a four-hectare foreshore in Barangay Catarman, Liloan town.

The property has been a subject of a court case after it was claimed by a lot owner who entered into a joint venture with Ayala Land for the establishment of a high-end subdivision in the area.

Roldan Cotejo, head of the Community Environment and Resources Office station in Carmen town, personally implemented the Supreme Court resolution dated January 29, 2014 which denied the motion for reconsideration filed by Cebu Highpoint Ventures Inc.

Accompanied by CENRO personnel and representatives of lot's owner Miguela Dignos, Cotejo went to the vicinity of Amara subdivision in Catarman onboard a motor banca to meet company officials to enforce the Supreme Court order.

Cotejo said CENRO Carmen has been tasked to execute the order, Liloan town being still part of its jurisdiction.

During the meeting, no commotion happened as Cebu Holdings Inc. representatives were cooperative when the order was implemented. CHI, which embarked on the joint venture with Cebu Highpoint Ventures, is a sister company of Ayala Land.

Retired army colonel Edwin Layese, a representative of CHI, met Miguela Dignos and her lawyer and assured to cooperate after being directed by their management.

Layese told reporters that he was informed of the Supreme Court decision over the controversy.

Layese and Lawyers Alan Siu and Mark Anthony Gaviola, representing Miguela, agreed to closely coordinate with one another to maintain peace and order in the area.

Siu said he was happy with the assurance made by Layese in yesterday's meeting.

Court record showed that on August 10, 1966, the late Silvestre Dignos applied for an Application and Permit and Acceptance of Conditions with the Bureau of Lands to occupy the foreshore area in Barangay Catarman.

On August 12, 1970, an order of award of the foreshore lease application was issued by the Director of Lands Vicente Valellon to Dignos.

Dignos, on the other hand, executed a Deed of Quitclaim in favor of her daughter Miguela Dignos who right away requested for a transfer of rights over the foreshore lease application. The rights of the foreshore area transferred to Miguela, the record said.

Since then, Miguel Dignos has occupied the foreshore land, unfailingly paid the required rentals to the government, introduced improvements and paid the corresponding taxes.

On April 25, 2000, Cebu Consolidated Estates Inc., now assumed by Cebu Ventures Inc., filed a complaint before the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for the cancellation of the award to Miguela Dignos.

The controversy was brought to the Office of the President in 2008, of which Miguel got the favor.

The Court of Appeals pinned a decision in favor to Miguela Dignos and the petitioner filed Motion for Reconsideration in Court of Appeals and Supreme Court but both were denied.

Miguela, through her lawyers Siu and Gaviola, said with the decision, she can now start introducing development in the place to contribute the economic development of Liloan where for 15 years she failed to make because of the controversy. (FREEMAN)